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How Knowledge about Stem Cells Influences Attitudes towards Breastfeeding: Case Study of Polish Women

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  • Malgorzata Witkowska-Zimny

    (Department of Biophysics and Human Physiology, Medical University of Warsaw, Zwirki i Wigury 61 St, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Dorota Majczyna

    (Department of Biophysics and Human Physiology, Medical University of Warsaw, Zwirki i Wigury 61 St, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland)

Abstract

Maternal breastfeeding is associated with multiple health benefits, both for the child and the mother. Since breastfeeding rates are declining, finding new, future-oriented strategies to strengthen and support mothers’ positive attitudes towards breastfeeding need to be developed. In this paper, we describe how information about the presence of stem cells in breast milk can influence the willingness to breastfeed in the population of Polish pregnant women. A cross-sectional study involving a group of 150 pregnant women was conducted to assess the correlation between their knowledge about stem cells and their attitude towards breastfeeding. Among the respondents, only 6% claimed that they did not know anything about stem cells, but general knowledge about stem cells in the research group was poor. The survey results indicated that city residence, university degree, maternal experience and advanced pregnancy correlated with higher general knowledge regarding stem cells. Most respondents (77.3%) had no knowledge regarding the presence of stem cells in breast milk. Approximately two-thirds of mothers with earlier negative breastfeeding experience declared that information about the presence of stem cells in breast milk could have influenced the decision to continue and extend the time of breastfeeding. Hence highlighting the presence of stem cells in breast milk can be used to encourage breastfeeding as a unique activity.

Suggested Citation

  • Malgorzata Witkowska-Zimny & Dorota Majczyna, 2021. "How Knowledge about Stem Cells Influences Attitudes towards Breastfeeding: Case Study of Polish Women," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-14, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:5:p:2382-:d:508218
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Alison Daly & Christina Mary Pollard & Michael Phillips & Colin William Binns, 2014. "Benefits, Barriers and Enablers of Breastfeeding: Factor Analysis of Population Perceptions in Western Australia," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(2), pages 1-10, February.
    2. Diana Cascone & Davide Tomassoni & Francesco Napolitano & Gabriella Di Giuseppe, 2019. "Evaluation of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices about Exclusive Breastfeeding among Women in Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-11, June.
    3. Eric A. Lauer & Karla Armenti & Margaret Henning & Lissa Sirois, 2019. "Identifying Barriers and Supports to Breastfeeding in the Workplace Experienced by Mothers in the New Hampshire Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children Utilizing the To," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-18, February.
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